The Power and the Passion

Queenslanders love their rugby league and when two of the state's best teams come together, you can be sure of a packed house. The fans come out in force to support their team with rivalry on the field and in the stands.

North Queensland rugby league came alive when the Cowboys first entered the NRL premiership in 1995.

Before that, most of the North's best players had travelled to Brisbane or Sydney to further their careers and were forced to don the jerseys of unfamiliar teams.

But not anymore and once every year, the rugby league world is turned upside down by a rivalry now entering folklore.

It's a battle between David and Goliath, big brother and little brother, north versus south or country versus city.

For when the Cowboys take on the Brisbane Broncos in a Queensland derby clash, the whole state stops still, as 26 league players sort out superiority and bragging rights for another 12 months.

For years the Broncos were the only team that the state could cheer for and their fan base stretches from the tip of Cape York to the bottom of Brisbane River.

But now fans from Cairns, Mount Isa, Mackay and Longreach can make their way to Cowboys Stadium to show their true colours and they do it in style.

Many go there to view history, like in 2004 when the Cowboys broke through for their first home win against their southern neighbours.

It was a high stakes finals match, with the Cowboys finally coming of age with a performance which ended Brisbane's premiership challenge and won their respect.

Since, there has been eight matches with both sides winning four each, and 12 points separating both teams in attack and defence.

In 2008, the Broncos had won six premierships, were host to some of the best players in the NRL including Darren Lockyer, Karmichael Hunt and Justin Hodges and sat in the top eight with a chance of taking out this year's competition.

Unfortunately the Cowboys had their title chances ruined by injury and suspension with superstars Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen again absent from the clash.

The Brisbane Broncos may have eventually won the match 32-18, but the Cowboys earned the crowds respect with their never say die attitude during 80 minutes of rugby league bliss.

After all, a wise man once said it is not so much about the destination, but the journey that got you there and 22,000 fans agreed come the final siren.